CROSS RIVER EVENT – Football 6th December
S2 Girls
U11 Girls “Cross the River” – A Celebration of Growth, Teamwork and Girls’ Sport at BISS Puxi
On Saturday 6th December, our U11 Girls travelled to NAIS Pudong to take part in the SISAC Step 2 Cross the River competition, and we are incredibly proud to share the success of this event. BISS Puxi was one of the only schools able to field two full teams, a powerful statement of our commitment to providing meaningful sporting opportunities for girls and nurturing participation at every level.
Across the day, each team played eight 15-minute games, demonstrating resilience, teamwork, and an impressive ability to learn and adapt. Both teams showed remarkable improvement from their opening match to their final whistle — a testament not only to their effort but to the strength of our coaching philosophy.
We were especially impressed by standout performances from Zoe Zhang and Jisoo Kim in Team 1, and Ruby Yang and Harper Chen in Team 2. Their leadership, determination, and positivity set the tone for their teams and inspired those around them.
In SISAC Step 2 competitions, the focus is not on winning or losing but on something far deeper: fostering joy in sport, encouraging players to “play the game to play,” and ensuring that every athlete feels valued and included. Instead of channelling all play through the strongest teammate, our students learn to trust one another, share responsibility, and grow together.
Our coaches are dedicated to providing equal playing time wherever possible, cultivating confidence and a sense of belonging for every child. This aligns closely with Cath Bishop’s philosophy in The Long Win, where she reminds us that true success comes not from chasing short-term victories but from embracing learning, connection, and long-term growth.
The next step for our U11 girls is to take this success and begin applying it to the U11 Nord Anglia Games in March and the U11 FOBISIA Games in May. This is where we move from our foundation of “playing to play” to training with purpose — striving to be the very best that we can be. Our only competitor is who we were yesterday.
At BISS Puxi, this is what sport is about.
Not just winning — but developing character, building resilience, and inspiring a lifelong love of movement.
We are extraordinarily proud of our U11 girls and all they represent. Their performances on the court reflect the values of our school: opportunity, inclusion, ambition, and heart.
This is why families choose BISS Puxi — a place where every child is empowered to grow, compete with joy, and discover what they are truly capable of.
S3 Girls
Our S3 BISS Lions girls’ team enjoyed an outstanding season, playing 11 matches with 8 wins, 1 draw, and just 2 losses, scoring 31 goals and conceding only 12.
Throughout the season, the team embodied the trademark attitude, commitment, and spirit of the BISS Lions. Even when facing older and physically stronger opponents, our Lionesses never backed down—showing bravery, resilience, and impressive technical and tactical quality. The future of girls’ football at BISS is clearly very bright.
A special mention goes to Angela, who had an exceptional season and finished with 22 goals, consistently posing a major threat to every defence, she faced. We also cheer our Year 7 players, who frequently competed against Year 9 students yet showed no hesitation, responding with courage, determination, and remarkable skill.
Well done, Lionesses!
S2 Boys
Our U11 Teamwork and fitness displayed at the S2 Boys Football Cross-River Event (CRE) hosted by Dulwich Puxi.
Each team played an intense schedule of 11 matches. With squad numbers reduced due to last-minute withdrawals, both teams had to put in a monumental shift with only eight players per squad. There were some seriously tired legs by the final whistle, but their spirit never wavered.
Team One
Finished with a strong record of 6 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses. Their performance was highlighted by standout play from Valdemar Malmstrom, Kai Grant, and Marius Benjamen. A special mention goes to Marius Benjamen, who played his final game for BISS before returning to Sweden. He has been a vital part of the team's progress this season, expertly leading the defensive line and showing great versatility when stepping into midfield. He will be greatly missed.
Team Two
Faced a challenging day, with the primary objective being to engage more in the physical side of the game: making tackles and being effective in transitions. While this did not yield any wins, the team continued to persevere and worked extremely hard throughout the tournament, showing great character and commitment.
Standout players for Team two were: Terence Du, August Logwood, and Yonathan Tsilov.
I was pleased with the effort displayed by the teams, the support received by the parents that attended, and the progress that has been made.
S3 Boys
Our U13 Boys football teams shone at the CRE Football Event hosted by DCS Suzhou!
Team A delivered an outstanding performance, winning all five matches, scoring an impressive 20 goals, and keeping a clean sheet throughout. Standout players included Zach Liu, who netted 7 goals, and Benny Jang, who maintained a perfect defensive record in goal.
Team B also impressed, competing in six matches with 3 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 narrow loss. Scoring 7 goals and conceding 6, they demonstrated fantastic balance, resilience, and teamwork—especially when facing older and physically stronger opponents.
Both BISS Lions teams earned praise from coaches and competing schools for their excellent conduct, camaraderie, and fair play. They truly represented BISS with pride, passion, and character—both on and off the pitch.
Well done, Lions!
S4 Boys
The S4 boys travelled to the tournament this weekend, opening their campaign against SCIS — a team they had recently played in a friendly. SCIS are one of the strongest sides in Shanghai at this age group and went on to win the entire tournament. Despite a tough 5–0 loss, there were standout defensive moments from Landon, Wichan and Augusta. Our goalkeeper Batu made a fantastic save but unfortunately came off injured with a wrist issue, leaving us without a keeper for the rest of the day. A huge thank you to Mason and Charlie, who both stepped up bravely to support the team.
Our second game was against Concordia International School. Still regaining confidence after the opener, the boys worked hard to rebuild momentum but were edged out 2–0 despite improved movement and better organisation across the pitch.
Game three saw us take on SSIS, a team we had previously beaten this season. This time the match was much tighter and more competitive. The boys produced a significantly improved performance, showing better shape, communication, and resilience, although we narrowly lost 2–0 once again.
The final playoff match against CISS was the real highlight of the day and showed what this team is truly capable of. After going 1–0 down early on, the boys displayed outstanding determination and energy. Our Man of the Match, Seongwoong, delivered a brilliant performance and drove the team forward, clawing back a deserved equaliser with excellent composure. Moments later, Zachary scored an incredible header — a genuinely world-class finish that lifted the entire team and shifted the momentum in our favour.
For large parts of the match, we played our best football of the tournament: confident, organised, and attacking with belief. Unfortunately, in the very last kick of the game — well past the 20-minute mark — we conceded from a heavily deflected corner, ending the match 2–2. The boys did not deserve to lose this one, and their performance showed tremendous potential.
Overall, the tournament was a huge learning experience and a proud moment for the S4 boys. Despite results not going our way, the team showed character, improvement, and resilience throughout the day. With continued training and confidence, this group has the potential to grow into a strong, competitive team next season.
